Learn, Play, Grow
Learn 
Preschoolers are
natural learners----the world is full of curiosities and they are full of questions! Our commitment at the
Academy is to take advantage of this learning opportunity by providing engaging
and exciting curriculum that is not commercial, but is grounded in who our
students are and the experiences and knowledge that they bring with them. Our activities are meant to capitalize on curiosity and
encourage creative thinking and problem solving.
We have 12 school-wide themes that connect to the time of
year (see the Curriculum tab), the related Jewish values/beliefs, and essential learning as identified by our state’s standards
(TN-ELDS). For example, our
November theme is “Helping, Sharing, and Giving Thanks.” It is at this time that we think about
all of the things we’re thankful for and how we can share our gifts and talents. The Jewish value of tzedakah (the religious obligation to perform charity) is stressed and students
learned about this value. They also make tzedakah boxes to collect money which is donated to charities (Second Harvest Food Bank), and they discover how they
can help in their own family and community. March’s theme, “Art, Music, and Creativity” was
culminates in a school-wide art show. Activities include exploring and learning about artists and styles of
music. Student art work fills the hallways and
classrooms and “reproductions” of Matisse, Picasso, Warhol, and Van Gogh are
seen everywhere. It is also during this time that students celebrate Purim and the making
of costumes and masks can be quite the creative activity!
In all, our curriculum is child-centered, informative, and
is built to provide a firm foundation for learning.
Play
Our curriculum does not stop in the classroom. One unique feature of the Academy is
our Natural Playscape (one of the
first in middle Tennessee). The features of this play area are designed to encourage and stimulate
thinking and creative play. From
the art walls and chalk boards, to the wooden stage with seating, to the
old-time water pump and “stream over the rocks,” to the playhouses which can be
outfitted to match the month’s theme; this venue gives students an environment
to practice what they’ve learned in the classroom.
Grow
Even with all of the learning, we want our students to grow
in their social and emotional development. We place a great deal of emphasis on how they treat one
another, how they manage their emotions and wants, and how they cope with the
everyday challenges that confront them. We use positive discipline methods that help students develop habits of
good behavior and making good choices. We do this by partnering with our families so that our methods are in
sync and consistent.
Our Infant
and Tiny Tot teachers communicate daily via a Daily Report that looks at all
aspects of a child’s development. They
also provide a weekly email “blast” of the events of the week. Mini and Pre-K families enjoy at least
two electronic newsletters per week with summaries, suggestions for at-home
activities, and pictures of the day. In all, we try to help children see that we’re “working together.” Once a year, we conduct a
parent/teacher conference that is detailed in all aspects of development with
samples of student work and experiences to illustrate the progress they’re
making on all fronts.